by Christina on January 7, 2010
in Ann Aguirre,Carolyn Crane,Gail Carriger,Ilona Andrews,Jessica Andersen,Kelly Hunter,Laura Resnick,Lori Devoti,Nalini Singh,Penny McCall,Scribblings
Today, Ilona Andrews posted the cover of the follow-up to On the Edge on her site. I thought this would be a good occasion to do a post featuring the covers of books I’m looking forward to reading. Most are ‘next in the series’. A couple of the books are for series I haven’t started but have the first book and the second is on order (Aguirre’s Corine Solomon series, Devoti’s Amazon series, Carriger’s Alexia Tarabotti series, Singh’s Guardian series — the books intrigued me enough to chance buying/ordering the second):
Hell Fire by Ann Aguirre
Demonkeepers by Jessica Andersen
Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews
Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews
Untameable Rogue by Kelly Hunter
Changeless by Gail Carriger
Mind Games by Carolyn Crane
Amazon Queen by Lori Devoti
The Hellhound King by Lori Devoti
The Bliss Factor by Penny McCall
Doppelgangster by Laura Resnick
Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh
The Maverick's Greek Island Mistress
Author: Kelly Hunter
UK Title: Taken by the Bad Boy
UK ISBN: 978-0-263-86373-4
UK Publisher: Harlequin Mills & Boon (Modern Heat)
Copyright: 2008
N. A. Title: The Maverick’s Greek Island Mistress
N. A. ISBN: 978-0-373-12825-9
Published in N. A.: 2009 (Harlequin); 185 pgs.
Series: Harlequin Presents #2825
Sensuality: Warm
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Her: Serena Comino. Serena is on the island to fulfill her obligation to her grandparents by taken her turn at running the family-owned vespa rental stand. Her Greek relations also own a fishing boat, which is being run by her cousin Nico. Serena would rather be pursuing a career in photojournalism. She passes the time, and satisfies her inner shutter-bug, by taking photos to be used in postcards. Her family, even the Australian side, doesn’t understand her desire and considers her photography as a hobby. When she first sees Pete, she views him as someone who would be fun to pass the time with while on the island.
Him: Pete Bennett. Pete was an air-sea search and rescue pilot. One too many “failures” — in situations he had no power to control — have taken a toll. He’s walked away from that life, but he hasn’t made any long-term plans either. He’s in perfect position to sub for a friend, with a broken leg, flying day-trippers to and from the little island. Pete’s attracted to Serena and is willing to be her distraction, but any sort of intimate relationship is hampered by the over-protective friends of Serena’s family. That doesn’t bother Pete too much. He knows a thing or two about over-protective families. After their mother died, Pete and his brothers behave similarly in regards to their baby sister, Hallie.
Taken by the Bad Boy
The relationship progress: Neither of them are looking for a long term relationship when they first meet. Serena is looking for a career and Pete isn’t looking to settle down anytime soon. But, no matter how determined Pete is to keep things casual, he ends up falling for her. He helps her with her search for photojournalism jobs and she helps him deal with his ghosts. Serena also encourages him to return to Australia, and air-sea search and rescue.
The conflict: Just as he’s made the decision to return to his old job, hopefully with Serena at his side, Serena is offered a job in Athens.
What I liked: Pete. He’s a great guy. Good-natured, as he puts up with the crazy locals sabotaging his attempts to be alone with Serena. He supportive of Serena and understands and appreciates her dreams of being a photographer.
What I didn’t like: As it is sometimes the case, the Presents title is a little misleading. It gives the wrong impression about Pete and Serena’s relationship. A more accurate title would have been “The Maverick’s Greek Island Fling”. Pete is not married or in some other serious relationship, and Serena’s is in no way his mistress.
Miscellaneous:
- This is the 3rd book featuring one of the Bennett siblings. Previously, we met Hallie (Wife for a Week) and Tristan (Bedded for Diamonds).
- There will be two more books, featuring Luke Bennett and Jake Bennett, in 2010 (UK release).
- I know I’ve said this before, but Kelly Hunter is still my favorite Presents author. Her books are fun to read.
- There is a secondary romance between Nico and Chloe, the woman who runs the little hotel. Her young nephew Sam, befriends Pete.
- Jake, Luke, and Tristan make an appearance in this book.
Recommended to: Those who wish to try a Presents book, but are leery of over-the-top alpha men, billionaires, etc. Pete’s almost an ordinary guy. And Serena is a strong heroine: she not afraid go after the things she wants.
Favorite Quotes:
“Wedding photographer in Vegas?”
“Only if I’d be working for Elvis.”
“It’s possible.”
– Pete, Serena (looking at jobs for her)
“A British rock god needs a helicopter pilot to keep on retainer.”
“Just shoot me now.”
– Serena, Pete (looking at jobs for him)
Started: 31 August 2009
Finished: 6 September 2009
Rating:
Liked A Lot
Disclaimer: I purchased this book.
international
Teaser Tuesdays asks you to:
Grab your current read.
Let the book fall open to a random page.
Share with us two (2) “teaser” sentences from that page. You also need to share the title of the book that you’re getting your “teaser” from … that way people can have some great book recommendations if they like the teaser you’ve given!
Please avoid spoilers!
The teaser:
Calm and in control were proving a little more problematic given that her heart was hammering and her brain had chosen to replay the beach kiss scene in From Here to Eternity and suggest it as a viable greeting option.
– from page 79, The Maverick’s Greek Island Mistress (Kelly Hunter)
Why I picked this book: I love this author and I’m trying to complete the Summer Vacation Reading Challenge. I need short books. The hero of this book is the brother of Hallie (Wife For a Week) and Tristan (Bedded For Diamonds/Priceless). This book was also released through Mills & Boon under the title Taken by the Bad Boy.
~~~~~~~~~~
1 Sep – Susan B. Evan – Sounds intriguing Great teaser this week! My teaser accompanies a giveaway on my blog this week.
1 Sep – Lisa – Oh my. That would make “calm” pretty difficult. My teaser is here.
1 Sep – Jennifer – Oh my, interesting tease. Mine is here: http://rundpinne.blogspot.com/2009/09/tuesday-teaser.html
~~ & ~~
1 Sep – Catherine @ The Blonde Diaries – So does she stay calm and show restraint or does she throw it out and have her own version of the scene she is thinking about?
1 Sep – Me – I believe she does remain calm. It’s a bit later in the book than I am at the moment. But I think she gets her “Deborah Kerr-Burt Lancaster” moment at the end of the book. 
~~ & ~~
1 Sep – Nise’ – That would be some greeting! Looks like a great beach/vacation/summer read!
1 Sep – Me – Oh, it is! The author is Australian and when I read her books (short though they are) I feel like I’ve gone on one.
